16.Get up now and stand on your feet. I have revealed myself to you to make you servant and witness to what I have just shown you and to what I will show you later on.

17.I will rescue you from all evil that may come from your own people or from the pagans to whom I am sending you.

18.For you shall open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God; and, through faith in me, may obtain forgiveness of their sins and a place among those who are sanctified.'

19.Since that time, King Agrippa, I did not stray from this heavenly vision;

20.on the contrary, I began preaching first to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and throughout Judea, and then to the pagan nations, that they should repent and turn to God, showing the fruits of true conversion.

21.I was carrying out this mission when the Jews arrested me in the Temple and tried to kill me. But with the help of God, I still stand here today to give my testimony both to the great and the small.

22.I do not teach anything other than what Moses and the Prophets announced beforehand:

23.the Messiah had to die, and after being the first to be raised from the dead, he would proclaim the light to his people as well as to all nations."

24.As Paul came to this point of his defense, Festus said in a loud voice: "Paul, you are mad; your great learning has deranged your mind!"

25.But Paul answered: "I am not mad, Most Excellent Festus, but everything I have said is reliable and true.

26.The king is acquainted with all these things, so to him I speak with such confidence. I am convinced that he knows everything about this case, for these things did not happen in a dark corner.

27.King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do."

28.Agrippa said to him: "You almost believe that you have already made me a Christian!"

29.Paul answered him: "Whether little or more, I would that not only you but all who hear me this day may come to be as I am - except for these chains."

30.Then the king rose and, with him, the governor, Bernice and all the attendants.

31.When they went out they talked among themselves and said: "This man has done nothing to deserve death or imprisonment."

32.And Agrippa said to Festus: "Had he not appealed to Caesar, he could have been set free."